SUS

When the right music hits your soul, it creates an orgasmic awakening transcending anything you will find in the physical realm. This level of spiritual climax can be difficult to achieve or experience with mainstream music on the airwaves these days.

The repetitive and formulaic music currently blasted on the radio may be enjoyable for a brief time, but ultimately leave you as a jilted and disillusioned lover after one too many disappointing one night stands. For many music lovers, this experience over decades can leave you questioning if true musical love even exists anymore.

Then seemingly out of the blue, a particular artist or band catches your eyes and ears from across the crowded smoky room. You feel the lusty, passionate sensations creeping through every inch of your body, reawakening a long lost desire you were sure would never return. And you know within every fiber of your being that this lover can give you every thing you need and more.
Such was the case for me recently at a house party for my 50th birthday celebration. A new band entering the scene here in Austin volunteered to play in order to gain more exposure for their work. Before I tell you more, I must make an honest confession that may be unpopular with my particular Gen X generation, but important nonetheless to this particular conversation.
While I love alternative music, I have absolutely despised the grunge genre since its birth on the music scene. For me, grunge wasn’t bad in itself. However, I have felt that the aftermath of its appearance ultimately led to uninspired formulaic garbage spewed by a greedy corporate music industry for decades to come.

Those of us romantics of the musical arts were left with nothing but premature ejaculations of thoughts and feelings along with empty promises regarding fulfillment of desire with every artist shoved down mainstream’s throat. An unfair assessment, I suppose, but here we are.

Artists who can break through these well-built walls of distrust and disgust are the true unicorns in their profession. It’s time for something more fulfilling, something that truly speaks to your desires and leaves you breathless with anticipation.

So, allow me to introduce you to SUS, the newest sonic underground sensation to hit the “Live Music Capital of the World”. These talented musicians are truly dedicated to their craft, paying a sincere tribute to the greats who paved the way before them while maintaining their own authentic self expression.

Despite my aversion to grunge music, these rising rockstars shattered my preconceived notions and won me over with their unique blend of alternative rock, emo, and grunge with a queer twist. And, my guests left the party raving about the band the rest of the weekend and can’t wait to see them in action again.

Many of their songs speak of love, life, and situationships from the gay perspective. But no matter your sexual orientation or relationship status, you will easily find yourself and resonate with the emotional expressions of the heart in their songs.

If you are a fan of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Gin Blossoms, Smashing Pumpkins or the Pixies, you will quickly become a loyal and rabid fan of this group of incredible musicians. SUS will awaken your senses and leave you feeling hot and bothered in all the right ways. Every note they play is like a caress on your skin, sending shivers down your spine.

While everyone shares the lead when it comes to vocals, each member contributes their own unique prowess to the group. Drummer Cole Soileau delivers youthful lusty energy that leaves you breathless and wanting more, especially during his shirtless performances. Joseph Heuken’s powerful riffs on lead guitar will leave you weak in the knees, while Neil Leinen’s bass lines throb with an irresistible pulse. And frontman Steven X-Ray seduces you with soft, sensual vocals, setting the mood for an intimate, emotional experience that leaves a lasting impact.

While the band is still fine-tuning their
sound to ensure that vocals are not overshadowed by the dynamic instrumentals, their passion and dedication to their craft shine through in every note. Consider the vocals like the gentle whispers of your lover as the waves of musical ecstasy wash over your body. You won’t be disappointed.
For anyone seeking a musical experience that transcends the ordinary and touches the depths of the soul, SUS is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Allow yourself to be swept away by their raw, unfiltered energy, and experience the transformative power of music in its purest form.

Be sure to follow @sustheband on all platforms for new song releases and upcoming shows. Don’t miss out on the hottest sonic underground sensation of the summer in Austin. It’s time to set your sonic soul on fire and indulge in the musical ecstasy that only SUS can provide. - Medium

Genre: Alternative Rock/Grunge/Emo
Are you a music lover in Austin looking for fresh musical sensations to feed your savage sonic soul? Allow me to introduce you to a new band debuting on the scene, ready to make waves. SUS is an alternative rock band featuring Steven X-Ray, Joseph Heuken, Neil Leinen, and Cole Soileau. Their underground music infuses heavy guitar riffs with a melodic atmosphere, creating a unique sound that resonates with both old-school rock enthusiasts and modern music lovers. Recently, I was honored to sit down with the band to capture their story to share with you. Come join the conversation and help support these local musical artists creating their legacies in the Live Music Capital of the World.

When did your music career start and what inspired you to become an artist?

Steven: For me, this is my fourth band. I started in the San Diego pop/punk rock scene. I was in a band called Viking Pacific, then I moved to New York City and was in an electropop band Electrohoney. When I moved to Austin, I wanted to get back to more organic music and playing the keyboard.

So, I started SUS. I liked the name SUS. My nephew said that word to one of my other nephews. When I found out what the connotation of that word meant, I thought it was perfect for describing myself. Then it just evolved into its own thing. I had roots in alternative rock, I love the Pixies stuff, definitely Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and all that grunge type of heavy rock music. I wanted SUS to do that.

This current band is the third iteration of SUS. The first guitar player went to law school and the second one wanted to focus on his family. I put an ad out and met Joseph Heuken. Once Joseph and I started writing, then we met Neil Leinen, who is our bass player. He is a classically trained violinist, fiddle player, guitarist and vocalist, so I think he brings a cool unique blend of elements.

After Neil joined, we took a little hiatus with the band. When I came back and started playing again, we put an ad group on Facebook and we met Cole Soileau. We started sounding heavier again, which I like, because of his drumming style. I think now we finally found a solid mix of different styles in how we want to sound as a band.

Joseph: I actually came from the Oakland music scene in California, I got the privilege and honor to just jam in my last band, Drift. Our lead guitar player was a drummer in the band Toner and the bass player is currently in a band called Nail Driver. Amazing musicians.

I took a break off being in bands for a little bit. Two years later, I moved to Austin. Later on, Steven reached out to me and I showed up to practice one day. The first song we jammed on was “Sex Buddies” and I was just blown away. It was just that energy of west coast rock and roll that I hadn’t seen in a while, at least at the time. That was before I met Cole. Cole is an amazing drummer. The people I met along the way of my career really inspires me.

Steven: Yeah, we all sing in the band, so there’s not one lead singer. I think that makes us different. Depending on what the song is, someone will take up lead vocals or we all do harmonies. I minored in gospel choir in college, so I love doing those kind of harmonies. Cole’s been doing music on his own for a while and we just met through Facebook. All of us like what we each bring to SUS as a band, and I think it’s perfect.

How would you describe your music?

Steven: Cole calls it Dad Rock. I love saying that because I think it’s alt rock; it’s grunge; it’s classic garage rock. We love playing emo music. I would describe SUS as a mixture of different sounds rooted in alternative.

Cole: I would honestly say SUS within itself is sonically unique because of all the aspects that each member brings to the creative process. It’s rooted in a much older sound of rock: stuff that I’ve grown up on, listened to, and that has inspired other members of this band. So, it’s easy to make sense of it and to be able to transform it and do some kind of experimental stuff. We have very good chemistry.

What artists have been a source of inspiration for you?

Steven: For my musical background, I was raised on Motown with my parents. I idolized Michael Jackson as a child. So, I’m definitely rooted in that, but also alternative rock, Smashing Pumpkins, and The Pixies There’s more favorites, like Nirvana and Radiohead.

Cole: I have definitely bonded closer with Smashing Pumpkins since I’ve been in the band. Jimmy Chamberlain is rubbing off on me again. I’ve always been a fan of Dave Grohl. The whole Nirvana thing has always been my favorite, even for my own solo stuff. Recently, my top three artists would be Ekkstacy, Nirvana, and Highly Suspect.

Steven: Cole’s been exposing me to some a lot of cool new stuff. I’ve heard of Lil Peep before, but he got me really into that, and definitely Ekkstacy; I think that freaking band is kick-ass.

Neil: My influences would be Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Medium Build, and Wet Leg, to name a few. I also take inspiration from Alvvays, Frankie Cosmos, and Sports.

What is your creative process like?

Steven: Right now, I think we’re all our own songwriters. With these first few songs as the founder of the band, I’ve been jamming a few of these songs in with a barebone song breakdown of the chords I’m playing. Then Joseph will make up a riff. Neil will make up a bass line. Cole comes in and makes up the drum line. It’s a very collaborative process.

Somebody will bring in a song. We all have different opinions, but we respect each other and all add elements to each other’s songs.

Cole: I handle more of the post-production, working with my own producer as a solo artist. I create percussion, and I think about the parts as a whole. I try to work collectively. We’re all producing a song together, just laying down different parts to it.

Steven: Yeah, Cole’s really good with vocal harmonies. He’s definitely good with that. I feel like our songs are lik being in a cult and doing magic. Like when I listen to “Sex Buddies” with the vocal harmonies that are racing through that song, that’s not how it started, but we love how it ended up. We all put our stamp on it, which is awesome.

Neil: Our creative process is very organic in the band. It’s like creating this psychedelic sonic atmosphere that we all add our unique vibe to and that makes it SUS.

Who would you most like to collaborate with?

Cole: Ekkstacy, for sure. Stacy is my homie. I met him twice already so far. The second time around, he signed my shoe, and I gave him some merch. That was really cool. He’s like one of those fairies you find out in the wild. He’s just so unique.

Steven: I would be playing a song with Billy Corgan, or Smashing Pumpkins, because I always loved how they can rip. They’re so good, and they’re so loud, and yet they can rock a soft, acoustic song. I love that about them. I really love The Faint from Omaha. They’re like this new wave of electrobrass. I would love doing something with them.

As far as Austin artists, I love Hair of the Dog. They’re probably my favorite. Some of these young and up and coming hip-hop artists that Cole’s been working with, I think I love Mauiwowi; he’s awesome. He did a feature on Cole’s solo work. Doing a song with SUS too would be cool.

Cole: I would say Z-Trippin. He’s amazingly talented. I like his sound. He’s versatile in different genres. I think to be able to make a song with these new people that can do such things. It can definitely bring out some unlocks in an artist. It’s really cool to see what happens, because “Ocean” or “Sex Buddies” wouldn’t have been what it is without doing that very thing between certain people.

What is your favorite Austin music venue?

Steven: I definitely love Cheer Up Charlie’s. That’s my favorite one. I like it as us being a part of the LGBTQIA+ community, the whole inclusiveness of that and featuring queer artists. I think that is really important in the Austin music scene. I love their outdoor patio and how the stages are there. The Mohawk is always on the top of our list.

Cole: I haven’t been inside the Paramount Theater yet, but I want to play there for sure. I play inside Vulcan Gas Company, and I want to play there, but have more people show up next time. As far as a favorite, I’m probably gonna say Emo’s. Emo’s is awesome.

Neil:My favorite Austin venues would be Stubb’s BBQ or Far Out Lounge.

What is the strangest/wildest/funniest or most interesting experience you have had in your music career?

Steven: When I was in New York City, the band I was in wrote an off-Broadway musical. We just wanted to do something totally different. So, we had a bunch of drag queens, cross-dressers, and our trans friends, and just every element of sexuality. We called it the Electric Highway. We had 26 people in our production and performed it at this club called XL. We were shooting a reality TV show about us, so that was a lot of fun for me.

The lead singer was a drag queen, so you couldn’t expect anything less. Honey Davenport: she was actually on RuPaul’s Drag Race. Bob the drag queen, who’s from Madonna, directed our musical in New York.

Cole: The weirdest thing that’s happened to our band so far, like we just formed, right? I just get in here. All of a sudden Steven tells me, “I’m gonna prove to you guys I can get this song on the radio, just as a test experiment.”

And I was like, okay, well, whatever. So a couple of days pass, and then we got confirmed for an internet radio show. I went from never being on the radio in my life to being in a band with only one song that’s not even out yet officially, and it’s already on air.

Steven: Yeah, we were totally jumping around like high school girls listening to it. We were throwing teasers out for our single. And just out of the blue, a radio station contacts us. We haven’t even solicited it yet like the main ones. They just said, “Hey, we love your songs, we want to play it.”

Cole: It’s the way that people are actually liking the song so much that they want to actually play it. We’re doing our goals like the artists that we are. We have different strengths in certain areas, and there are different timelines that are involved with why the music sounds like it does, too. It’s like a history thing.

Because I’m younger, he’s older, we’re both in two different generations, that also comes into play. But it shows you I can infuse an older sounding thing that is reminiscent enough to invoke nostalgia in people while having the more mainstream, modern sounding approach to the sound design itself. Being able to compete with all the shit that’s out there, and cut through that noise. I think that’s the goal.

What sets SUS apart from other bands is we work as a cyborg mechanism of a bridge between new and old.

Steven: I think the song “Sex Buddies” has universal appeal, regardless of whether you’re straight, gay, or nothing. It’s about that situationship that you always hear about, the person you’re in love with, and they’re in love with you. But they just want to be your sex buddy. So that was the fun angle behind that sound.

If you could offer any advice for artists who want to do what you do, what would it be?

Steven: Follow what feels right for you. I think it’s good that you have a skill area with whatever you’re playing. I think that is key because so many people are musicians. And just write your stuff and get it out there. But don’t get it out there to try to be famous. Just get it out there to make good music. And then if people resonate with it, that will happen.

We write songs to connect with people. We love playing music live and it catches on, great. But, I’ve been in a few bands and our passion will do it regardless of whether five people listen to it or a million, but we hope for a million.

Cole: My advice is definitely treat the music industry like the Walking Dead and keep moving. Find a team, because without a team, you’re fucked. And if somebody in your team is slacking, you got to shoot them in the head. I mean, metaphorically, not literally, of course. But if you’re going after this to be popular, people are going to pick up on that very quickly.

Just try to write good music. Like Kurt Cobain said, “Don’t let material ethics determine your fate here.”

Neil: Play songs with your heart, and don’t let nobody break it.

How would you like to be remembered as an artist, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?

Steven: I guess for me, legacy is just connecting with people through my songs. That’s the best part of it. Someone connects with one of the songs that you write and it impacted their life. I think that’s the beauty of it for myself.

Cole: We just want to make good music that people resonate with and can relate to. I think if artists want a cult following, I think that’s the way to do it really. You just make a cult out of people who are just like you. That’s what building community is all about. It’s important for an artist to thrive and be successful because the music is everything. It’s the bread and butter. It’s the bondage between everything.

Where can people follow what you are up to and listen to your music?

People can check out our music and follow us for news and updates on upcoming events on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. - Sonic Souls of ATX

Austin, Texas, known for its eclectic and vibrant music scene, is home to SUS, an alternative rock band that is quickly making a name for themselves. The band consists of five talented members: X-ray on guitar and vocals, Joseph Heuken also on guitar and vocals, Copenhagen on guitar, Neil Lenin on bass and vocals, and Cole Soileau on drums and vocals. Together, they create a unique sound that is heavily inspired by legendary acts such as The Clash, The Cars, Nirvana, The Pixies, and Smashing Pumpkins.

SUS's latest single, "Sex Buddies," is a testament to their ability to blend heavy guitar riffs with a melodic atmosphere, resulting in a track that resonates with both old-school rock enthusiasts and modern music lovers. The song draws inspiration from the soulful grooves of Motown, fused with the raw energy of garage rock. This combination creates a sound that is both familiar and fresh, capturing the essence of what makes SUS a standout band in today’s music landscape.

"Sex Buddies" is an ironic take on the concept of a “situationship” – a modern term for a relationship that exists somewhere between a casual fling and a committed partnership. The song explores the feeling of being used or taken advantage of in such relationships, presenting this emotionally charged theme through an upbeat, pop-infused lens. Despite its sad and introspective lyrics, the track's energetic delivery adds a layer of complexity, making it a poignant yet danceable anthem for anyone who has experienced the ambiguities of modern romance.

The fusion of heavy guitar riffs and melodic undertones in "Sex Buddies" showcases SUS's ability to craft songs that are not only musically engaging but also lyrically profound. Their sound is a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation, paying homage to the greats of alternative rock while carving out their own distinct identity. With "Sex Buddies," SUS continues to push the boundaries of the genre, creating music that is both thought-provoking and enjoyable.

As they continue to build their presence in the Austin music scene and beyond, SUS is proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. Their unique sound and ability to tackle complex themes with both sincerity and irony set them apart from their peers. "Sex Buddies" is just the latest example of their talent and creativity, and it’s a track that is sure to resonate with listeners of all ages.

Fans of alternative rock and those who appreciate a clever twist on contemporary issues will find much to love in SUS’s music. "Sex Buddies" is available now on all major streaming platforms, and it’s a must-listen for anyone looking to experience the innovative sound of this rising Austin band. Keep an eye on SUS – with their unique blend of influences and undeniable talent, they are poised to make a significant impact on the music world - Thomathy Entertainment